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Collapse Issue 400 - 22 Aug 2016Issue 400 - 22 Aug 2016
Collapse  NEWS NEWS
Residents gather for action on roads
Peninsula fuel prices comparable with Coast
Property prices could increase with tunnel - Chamber
Local anglers support research program
Chamber calls Ocean Beach masterplan
Patonga hotel is listed for sale
Administrator calls for Brisbane Ave report
Improvements planned for Woy Woy restaurant
Wine bar proposal refused due to lack of information
Go-ahead for 11 flats
Certificate granted
Peninsula excluded from disability inclusion talks
Vets hold memorial service
Discovery program explores National Park
Cake stalls and community talks
Rotary installs solar at PNG school
Residents urged to make NBN submissions
New trains on order
Students return from Anzac tour
Collapse  FORUM FORUM
Woy Woy oval white elephant
Same old story
Fill the hole in the Australian Budget
Collapse  HEALTH HEALTH
Free hearing checks offered at Umina and Woy Woy
Walk to be held on Suicide Prevention Day
Health centre acts against sexual assault
Child care service to extend hours
Workshops to help fathers build relationships
Peninsula may benefit from domestic violence clinic
Women's morning coffee
Collapse  ARTS ARTS
Arts alive in Umina
Professor appointed curator at State Library
Jimmy Barnes to sign books in Umina
Thomsons' show at Troubadour
New movement retreat at Wagstaffe
Art show to be staged over three days
Wagstaffe to host gig tour
Collapse  EDUCATION EDUCATION
Bush classroom may re-open at Pretty Beach
Primary school holds classes for mums and dads
Athletics carnival held
Ninety years at Pretty Beach
Debating team is undefeated
Families wanted for Rotary exchange
Touch of magic
Umina placed sixth in netball
Pencils planted in garden
Prizes for Fathers' Day
Umina school raises $2000 for Stewart House
Girls' tower beats 22 others
Liesl Tesch speaks to Ettalong students
Knockout teams eliminated
Collapse  SPORT SPORT
Third loss in a row for Woy Woy
Jemma is young athlete of the year
Preparing for 50th anniversary in 2018
Life membership of bowling club
Collapse  400th EDITION 400th EDITION
Peninsula News after 17 years and 400 editions
The role of Peninsula News - 16 years ago
Congratulations from Chamber of Commerce
Congratulations from Lucy Wicks

Preparing for 50th anniversary in 2018

The Umina Blue Swimmers have begun early preparations for their 50th anniversary celebrations.

The Blue Swimmers are a men's winter swimming club that competes at Pearl Beach rock pool.

Formed in 1968 as part of the surf club movement to give active competition during the winter months, the club has been kept alive by the devotion of its members to preserve and continue the traditions of the club's founding members.

Members meet from the first Sunday in May until the last Sunday in August, with a club championship held on the first Sunday of September.

Sunday morning races are held in handicapped heats with distances of 30 and 60 metres with finals held between heat winners.

Five teams of four man relays also compete at the conclusion of the finals.

Currently, the club has 60 members consisting of 11 juniors, 41 seniors and eight active life members.

According to club president Mr Neal Denham, the Blue Swimmers have lasted close to 50 years because of the camaraderie and community spirit the club fosters amongst its members.

"After every swim the club comes together to eat homemade soup and toast (no canned soup allowed) and presents the 30 and 60 metre finals winners.

"Winners are also presented with an engraved glass mug," Mr Denham said.

Both the soup and the presentation have been core aspects of the Blue Swimmers Club since its founding days and have become traditions that are adhered to throughout the club's season.

It is the sense of mateship and mentoring of junior members that Mr Denham identifies as the source of the club's longevity.

"I think that the friendship that members enjoy both in and out of the pool has kept the Club going.

"While it is competitive in the pool, it is not all about winning that makes the difference from other clubs.

"I feel the club has lasted so long because it has focused on mentoring and encouraging juniors to join and it also allows the junior members' time to spend with other men and learn what life is about without being too serious.

"Most of our senior members these days have come through the club as juniors themselves and are now bringing their sons along," Mr Denham said.

According to Mr Denham, the Blue Swimmers also help junior members mature into considerate and sociable adults with the ability to conduct themselves with integrity and respect.

"The social aspect within the club I feel is important to both senior and junior members.

"For the juniors it teaches them the correct types of behavior that is acceptable when mixing with adults.

"Over the years I have seen many you boys come over to join us with one form of attitude and after a while that changes for the better," he said.

In their close to 50 years, the Blue Swimmers have also made considerable contributions to communities around the Peninsula through donations of funds, volunteer work and doing their best to meet requests made of them.

The club has supported many groups including: Umina Surf Life Saving Club, Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club, Peninsula Women's Refuge, Mary Mac's Place, Care Flight Helicopter Service, Coast Shelter and Camp Breakaway.

The club has already commenced with planning their 50th birthday celebration for 2018 with the club hoping to secure the Ocean Beach Surf Club as their venue.

"The aim will be to contact as many as possible past members and sponsors as well as the present participating members to join us on the day to celebrate this outstanding achievement for a small club," Mr Denham said.





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